Chicago Tomato Man to Open Its Plant Starters Sales on Friday

Bob Benenson
3 hours ago
2 min read

Check Out the 195(!) Varieties If You're at Grower (or Just Curious)

It says something about our passionate local food community that Bob Zeni, better known as Chicago Tomato Man, has become something of a celebrity.

Bob and his Chicago Tomato Man company produce tomato starter plants for home growers — in 195 varieties this year. No, that's not a typo. Before I got to know Bob several years ago, I had no idea that there were 195 (or more) varieties of tomatoes.

Thanks to his popularity and high profile in metro Chicago's community of tomato lovers, this happy guy in the photo below occasionally turns up sharing tips on local TV talk shows.

You tomatophiles out there should know that Chicago Tomato Man's online sales open this Friday (March 13). But no need to wait to begin your shopping... you can go to the site right now and start browsing to determine which varieties you might want to purchase for your spring transplanting.

VISIT THE CHICAGO TOMATO MAN SITE

Purchasers will be provided with a list of drop sites where they can pick up their plants, a process that will begin on April 18 and run through June 7. The drop sites are a mix of city and suburban locations.

VIEW THIS YEAR'S DROP SITES

And even if you're not a grower — I'm not, as we live in a 30th floor highrise with no balcony — it is still fun and educational to learn about the varieties, most of which are seldom if ever seen in retail food outlets (even farmers markets).

Some of them have fanciful names. Here are some of my favorites:

Abe Lincoln

Atomic Fusion

Bunny Hop

Dancing with Smurfs

Evil Olive

Fat Frog

Kookaburra Cackle

Lithium Sunset

Mr. Stripey

Nano's Meatball

Pork Chop